Winston grew stern like he was at the court. âLyse only eats the shrimps peeled by you and me. She has never allowed any other men to serve her!
âThat Jameson fellow was overly passionate toward her. He almost hand-fed her the food, and she did not seem resistant. Tell me, whatâs their relationship? Has Lyse fallen for him?â
âDad, you donât sound like you like Jameson,â Jonah pointed out. Winston responded with a silent pout.
âJameson and Lyse have known each other since childhood, and they get along well after reuniting. It was rare to see her getting along with someone from the opposite sex.
âOn top of that, we are family friends with the Schmidts. It will be good news if they end up with each other,â Jonah calmly explained his rationale.
âYou know Uncle Victorâs agenda for this visit. He intended to set up a marriage between the Schdmits and the Taylors. Why else would he have brought his two single sons along? He had his eyes on Lyse!â
Winston stared at the ground and shook his head. âBut I will not agree to the marriage.â (1 Jonah and Silasâs expressions fell when they heard their fatherâs words. They were shocked at Winstonâs aversion to the Schmidts.
âDid you and Uncle Victor have a falling out? Did you two block each other on WhatsApp?â Silas playfully teased Winston with a thumbs-up gesture. âYou really are something else! Look at you, chatting happily with him even after a fight. I couldnât have done that.â
âHow did you end up as a prosecutor with that pea brain of yours? Did you get in from the back door using my name?â Winston impatiently rolled his eyes at Silas and said gruffly, âI will not feed my beloved daughter to the wolves after sheâs just freed herself from the Becketts!
âYou think the Schmidts are living in paradise? Theyâre notorious for their internal conflicts. The four Schmidt siblings are quite problematic. If Lyse were to marry into their family, sheâd likely find herself caught up in their infighting.
âAnd letâs not forget about Jameson, who happens to be Victorâs least favored son. He may have a sprawling overseas business, but itâs possible he gained prominence through brute force. There could be some shady dealings going on behind the scenes.
âItâs not impossible that he might use his marriage to Lyse as a way to clean up his company and establish a foothold in this country.â
Silas stared agape at his father while Jonah looked at his feet and pursed his lips with guilt. He was too âI donât mind offering my daughterâs hand in marriage to uplift her in-lawâs family, but she should not sacrifice herself in doing so!â
A Bentley ferried Victor and Jameson back to Solana City, which was a rare move by Victor. David had gone back to Solana City separately in his car.
Victor and Jameson sat in the backseat in an oppressive silence, bound by their family ties but not much else.
âTell me, Jimmy. Whatâs the state of your relationship with Alyssa?â Victor demanded to know.
âAre you taking an interest in my love life?â Jameson looked amused. âYou never checked in on me and Mom in the 15 years we lived in Kontina. Now that Iâm back in Solana City, you seem extremely interested in my activities.â
âDo not change the topic. I am asking you about your relationship with Alyssa Taylor!â Victor brimmed with anger.
âAs you can tell from tonightâs dinner, I share a close relationship with her.â Jamesonâs eyes gleamed as he smirked.
Victor took a deep breath, his temples throbbing. He ordered, âStop getting in touch with her! Stay away from her.â
âWhy?â Jameson inquired, a smile playing on his lips.
âSheâs my handpicked candidate for Davidâs wife. You will only disrupt my plans if you interfere.â
âAm I not your son too? Sheâll be your daughter-in-law regardless of who she marries. Whatâs the issue here?â
âMy decision is final. David must marry Lyse. If you would also like to marry a Taylor, Winston has an unmarried younger daughter named Tatiana. Sheâs the daughter of Lyla, Winstonâs third wifeâ¦â
âYour least favorite son only deserves the daughter of Uncle Winstonâs third wife. Is that what you mean?â
Jameson wore a mocking smile on his lips.
âJameson, enough of this nonsense!â Victorâs anger flared. âYou shouldnât covet whatâs meant for David.
Iâll give you what you rightfully deserve, so donât lay claim to things that arenât intended for you.â
âIâve heard that since I was a boy but never received anything.â
Jameson closed his eyes with a smile. âIâm tired of your empty promises. Tell David not to fret about it.
Lyse is mine and only mine. No one can take her away from me.â